architecture

Historically there had been a ladder that could be pulled up, but it's inconceivable the milkwoman climbed a ladder carrying her can, so this must be the later immovable iron staircase

The Evening Telegraph was in the south half of the building, the Freeman's Journal the north, with the printers shared

There's a door between the kitchen and the stairs, that also gives access to the back door. Bloom expects the cat will want the back door opened too, but it chooses the stairs instead.